Plucked Dulcimer
Plucked Dulcimer
- Description (Brief)
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This plucked dulcimer has an unknown maker and date, but it is an example of the Pennsylvania German Scheitholtz tradition zither with straight sides, thought to be the precursor of the Appalacian plucked dulcimer. Its cotter-key tuning pegs might be replacements, but they do function well enough to tune the instrument. Two delicate F-holes decorate the top and bottom of the soundboard.
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In 1974 the collector, Mrs. Anne Grimes, said that the instrument came from Western Virginia there is was found by a road crew preparing to grade for a new highway. It was purchased from William "Unaka Bill" Breedlove, an amateur folksinger and poet of Block City and Church Hill near Kingsport, Tennessee.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- dulcimer
- place made
- United States: Pennsylvania
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 10.5 cm x 12.5 cm x 96 cm; 4 1/8 in x 4 15/16 in x 37 13/16 in
- overall: 3 7/8 in x 4 3/4 in x 37 7/16 in; 9.8425 cm x 12.065 cm x 95.09125 cm
- ID Number
- 1996.0276.01
- accession number
- 1996.0276
- catalog number
- 1996.0276.01
- collector/donor number
- A23
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Musical Instruments
- Music & Musical Instruments
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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